[colleen]

How do I dispose of old turpentine, white spirit, engine oils etc.? People must do it all the time. All those noxious substances we use every day. Any ideas?

[Alastair]

Pour them down the drain like everyone else does?

[Gorgonzola]

I save old engine oil in the original oil cans and use it to light up my garden fires - gets them going a treat.

[chem1st]

I wouldn't pour them down the drain. Try contacting Veolia, they should be able to collect them, they can be blended into a fuel.

[shanes teeth]

Have a cocktail party

[colleen]

thanks for everyones suggestions.I realise some aren't to be taken seriously although this was a serious question. I hate the idea of pouring them down the drain..not very green is it? However I only have small amounts of these substances.. so maybe Chem1st could tell me whether doing that would still be environmentally unfriendly? About 1/2 pint at a time, very occasionally, but I still get twitchy about it.

[Strix]

oh good grief

how flaming unhelpful are some trolls?

the recycling centres formerly known as rubbish dumps deal with these things

the white spirit I tip into a large jar to settle, then pour the clear liquid off the top for reuse, and the remaining paint in the bottom falls out in a jellied blob, which can be wrapped in newspaper and put in the bin

[Gorgonzola]

Originally Posted by Strix

oh good grief

and the remaining paint in the bottom falls out in a jellied blob, which can be wrapped in newspaper and put in the bin

It seems imbalanced to criticise others for their light-hearted comments, then to advocate disposing of such chemicals by sending them to landfill when, clearly, they require specialised disposal.

[horribleblob]

Originally Posted by Strix

oh good grief

how flaming unhelpful are some trolls?

the recycling centres formerly known as rubbish dumps deal with these things

the white spirit I tip into a large jar to settle, then pour the clear liquid off the top for reuse, and the remaining paint in the bottom falls out in a jellied blob, which can be wrapped in newspaper and put in the bin

Exactly.

[Strix]

Originally Posted by Gorgonzola

It seems imbalanced to criticise others for their light-hearted comments, then to advocate disposing of such chemicals by sending them to landfill when, clearly, they require specialised disposal.

Who said anything about landfill

I said take them to a recycling centre - but not the one at the local supermarket - the ones the council have contracted out on sites we'd have called 'the tip' in the past

sheesh!

[Gorgonzola]

Originally Posted by Strix

Who said anything about landfill

I said take them to a recycling centre -
but not the one at the local supermarket - the ones the council have contracted out on sites we'd have called 'the tip' in the past

sheesh!

No, you said put it in the bin - your words, not mine, and the bins are emptied out in landfill:

Originally Posted by Strix

a jellied blob, which can be wrapped in newspaper and put in the bin

[cgksheff]

According to Veolia website, Blackstock Road is the only Recycling Centre listed to accept oil paints.
That would be your best bet.

Water-based paints can go to any of the Recycling Centres.

[Tony]

Honestly... just chuck it down the sink if you haven't already. There's a lot worse goes down there from the hospitals and universities and the water authority just deal with it as they are contracted to.

[Strix]

Originally Posted by Gorgonzola

No, you said put it in the bin - your words, not mine, and the bins are emptied out in landfill:

that's the solid bit, not the volatile bit, which isn't recyclable, so if it went to the recycling centre it'd still be landfilled anyway

in the bin it's got half a chance of being incinerated

[Strix]

Originally Posted by Tony

Honestly... just chuck it down the sink if you haven't already. There's a lot worse goes down there from the hospitals and universities and the water authority just deal with it as they are contracted to.

oh right? - what evidence do you have for such slander?

[Strix]

Originally Posted by cgksheff

According to Veolia website, Blackstock Road is the only Recycling Centre listed to accept paint.
That would be your best bet.

I'm pretty certain Beighton do too

[Gorgonzola]

Originally Posted by Strix

that's the solid bit, not the volatile bit, which isn't recyclable, so if it went to the recycling centre it'd still be landfilled anyway

in the bin it's got half a chance of being incinerated

Ah - that'll do the ozone layer a whole lot of good, burning paint residue.

[Strix]

so how about telling us what you do with it instead of coming on here moaning?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Strix

oh right? - what evidence do you have for such slander?

Been there, seen it, done it.

[cgksheff]

Originally Posted by Strix

I'm pretty certain Beighton do too

Water-based paints only.

My fault for not being specific .. I've corrected that post.

"There has been a change in legislation that dictates the method of disposal of paints.
Water based paints are still able to be disposed of with the general wastes and land filled, but all other paints are classified as hazardous waste and have to be disposed of accordingly.
Water based paints i.e. emulsions can be disposed of at all of the five Household Waste Recycling Centres and put in the general waste skips.
Any other paints must be taken to Blackstock Road Household Waste Recycling Centre and placed in the CHEM bank by a site operative."